Cloudy lenses
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 25
Cloudy lenses
We have an 01 with HID head lights that I now realize (due to the 13 Cayenne parked next to it) have become horribly clouded.
Anyone have recommendations on how to clean them up again? Failing that, P/Ns for new lenses? (all I seem to be finding are "assemblies" for far more than I think just the housing should cost)
Anyone have recommendations on how to clean them up again? Failing that, P/Ns for new lenses? (all I seem to be finding are "assemblies" for far more than I think just the housing should cost)
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 4
From: Abbotsford B.C. Canada
Hi, you can polish your lights, there are kits available from a few manufacturers of car care products check at your local auto supply store. As to replacing the lenses you would have to replace the whole light unit, you cannot change the lens only, the replacement cost is high especially for the litetronics units.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, Fl
3M and Meguiars both sell a headlight restoration kit. I recently used the Meguiars on the wife's MDX, and it was very good. The only place it didn't work well was where the lens are contoured/bubbled, but that doesn't really exist on our lenses. I think I paid $20 at Target for the Meguiar's kit, and would use it on my 996 if I needed it, but they are still clear.
Others also use that restoration kits with a fine (like 400/600 grit) sandpaper to help finish it up.
Hope that helps,
DS
Others also use that restoration kits with a fine (like 400/600 grit) sandpaper to help finish it up.
Hope that helps,
DS
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 16
From: Apex, NC
The 3M headlight kit works very well and includes everything you need except a drill. Available at most auto parts stores.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...g_a_Headlight/
Simple polishing will not clear the lens. You must sand off the obscured layer. Make sure to adequately mask off the surrounding area or remove the headlight. It is a simple job, just take your time.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...g_a_Headlight/
Simple polishing will not clear the lens. You must sand off the obscured layer. Make sure to adequately mask off the surrounding area or remove the headlight. It is a simple job, just take your time.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 180
From: Glenview, IL
One challenge with polishing the lenses is that they lose their resistance to UV and tend to cloud up again rather quickly. I did the lenses on my daughter's Jetta and a year later they were cloudy again. I think there may be a new coating to help prevent this.
There are also services that do headlight restoration, one is Dr. Headlight.
There are also services that do headlight restoration, one is Dr. Headlight.
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,913
Likes: 25
Thanks for the info. I guess for the price of new housings not giving the polishing a try is rather stupid.
Really it doesn't seem to impact the beams at all. Just looks bad next to the nice clean new ones on the P!g.
Really it doesn't seem to impact the beams at all. Just looks bad next to the nice clean new ones on the P!g.
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 22,846
Likes: 348
From: Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
On the contrary it had a great impact on the light but because the degredation is slow, you don't really notice it. Once they are polished, you'll notice the difference but they will haze over in 6 months.
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 14
From: Gator Nation
When I restore headlights for my clients, I wet sand, polish and then seal. The above posters are correct that they will haze over again. Once you remove the factory UV coating they will degredate even faster. Our Porsche lights are somewhat horizontal and are exposed to the sun even more. The kits will supply you with a sealant which is nothing more than wax.
I use a spray on clear coat that you can buy at most auto body stores. It comes in a rattle can. You will need to remove the lights (easy), mask off and spray very thin coats. This is the only solution that I have found that seems to work. I have lights on client's cars that are into three years now and still look brand new.
I use a spray on clear coat that you can buy at most auto body stores. It comes in a rattle can. You will need to remove the lights (easy), mask off and spray very thin coats. This is the only solution that I have found that seems to work. I have lights on client's cars that are into three years now and still look brand new.
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 78
From: Delaware, USA
...
I use a spray on clear coat that you can buy at most auto body stores. It comes in a rattle can. You will need to remove the lights (easy), mask off and spray very thin coats. This is the only solution that I have found that seems to work. I have lights on client's cars that are into three years now and still look brand new.
I use a spray on clear coat that you can buy at most auto body stores. It comes in a rattle can. You will need to remove the lights (easy), mask off and spray very thin coats. This is the only solution that I have found that seems to work. I have lights on client's cars that are into three years now and still look brand new.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 14
From: Gator Nation
I use a product called SprayMax. Here is a link to an online retailer if your local auto body supplier doesnt carry it.
http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm
http://www.repaintsupply.com/pd_2_part_2k_aerosol.cfm
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 14
From: Gator Nation
Interesting question. I don't believe...could be very wrong, that the clear bras are heavily UV resistant. They themselves will yellow over time. It's not the film that yellows, it's the adhesive. But, it may be worth a shot if you can pick up some scrap pieces.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 14
From: Gator Nation
